Curcuminoids Modulate Pro-Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance but not the Immune Response to Heat Shock Protein 27 and Oxidized LDL in Obese Individuals

Curcuminoids have potentially important functional qualities including anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled cross‐over trial, the effects of a curcuminoid supplement on serum pro‐oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) and antibody titres to Hsp27 (anti‐Hsp27) and oxLDL (anti‐oxLDL) were investigated. Thirty obese individuals were randomized to receive either curcuminoids (1 g/day) or placebo for a period of 30 days. After a wash‐out period of 2 weeks, subjects were crossed over to the alternate regimen for another 30 days. Serum PAB along with anti‐Hsp27 and anti‐oxLDL titres was measured at the beginning and at the end of each study period. There was no significant carry‐over effect for any of the assessed parameters. Curcuminoid supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in PAB (p = 0.044). However, no significant change was observed in serum concentrations of anti‐Hsp27 or anti‐oxLDL (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that oral curcuminoids supplementation (1g/day) is effective in reducing oxidative stress burden, though this needs to be validated in larger study populations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.